News

Southern Spine Announces John E. Hart as President and Chief Executive Officer

Southern Spine, LLC, an ISO 13485:2003 certified manufacturer of implants and instruments for spinal surgery, announced that John E Hart has been named as President and Chief Executive Officer to lead the company.

Hart has more than 35 years of executive leadership experience in the medical device, life science and biologics fields serving in general management, marketing, sales, business development and operational management roles. Most recently, Hart served as a member of the turnaround team at Conmed Corporation, where he led the Cardiology and Critical Care Division to double digit revenue and profit growth. He also led the Healthcare Solutions team which was responsible for corporate, national and government accounts. Prior to that he served as Chief Operating Office for ISTO Technologies, Inc. for 3 years and President and CEO of Vidar Systems Corporation for 5 years. Both companies achieved successful exits.

“John is the right leader for Southern Spine,” said Hugh F. Smisson, III M.D., Southern Spine’s Chairman of the Board. “John’s extensive background in management, sales, marketing and business development should help strengthen our partnerships, develop strategic alliances, expand our sales presence and grow our profitability in the spine and pain markets.”

“I am very excited to be joining the Southern Spine team,” said John Hart. “I believe that Southern Spine’s great products and talented team will be key factors in leading the company’s next chapter for success and growth with the exciting Stabilink® MIS Interlaminar Spinal Fixation System.

John has also held senior executive positions in Fortune 500 companies, including Stryker Orthopaedics (Stryker Corporation) and U.S. Surgical (Covidien – now Medtronic).

John holds a BS degree from The College of New Jersey and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Virginia Bio.

Recent News

09/22/2023

State public health laboratory, Henrico County Schools launch pilot program to promote life science career

More than 50 Henrico County high school students and teachers joined scientists from Virginia’s public health and environmental laboratory Wednesday to kick off an innovative program that brings together private and government scientists and experts, business and nonprofit leaders, and public schools to explore ways to create a pipeline of talent to fuel Virginia’s growing

09/21/2023

Climate Tech Startup ThermaGEL Innovations’ Breakthrough Aerogels Join the Challenge to Save Half-Gigaton of C02 Emissions Each Year

In the fight against climate change, properly insulating homes and buildings can significantly raise energy efficiency and indoor air quality while lowering carbon dioxide emissions. A startup company, spun out of research at Virginia Commonwealth University, is commercializing what it calls a breakthrough in low-cost insulation materials. ThermaGEL Innovations has developed insulation material using aerogels,

09/20/2023

Charlottesville healthy sugar innovator Bonumose raises $2M

Bonumose Inc., a Charlottesville startup specializing in table sugar alternatives, has raised $2 million toward a $10 million funding round after German flavor and fragrances producer Symrise AG signed a minority investment agreement with the company. “The strategic investment from Symrise is part of a larger funding round that will be used for increasing sales,